The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major structural change to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming that the continent’s flagship tournament will be held every four years instead of every two after the 2028 edition. The decision marks one of the most significant shifts in African football history and is expected to reshape how national teams, players, clubs, and broadcasters engage with the competition.
For decades, AFCON has stood apart from other major continental tournaments by being staged biennially. While this frequency ensured regular exposure for African football, it also came with growing challenges—many of which CAF says have now become impossible to ignore.
At the heart of the decision is the increasingly congested global football calendar. Most elite African players ply their trade in Europe, where domestic leagues run from August to May. AFCON, traditionally held in January and February, has repeatedly clashed with club competitions, forcing teams to release key players mid-season.
European clubs have long complained about losing players during critical league and cup phases, while players themselves have faced difficult choices between club commitments and national duty. CAF believes moving AFCON to a four-year cycle will ease these tensions and allow for better long-term scheduling.
The issue has grown more complex in recent years, with FIFA expanding international tournaments and clubs playing more matches than ever. CAF argues that fewer AFCON tournaments will reduce calendar pressure without diminishing Africa’s presence on the global stage.
Player welfare has also been cited as a major factor. With AFCON held every two years, African players have faced a heavier international workload compared to their counterparts from other regions. The physical and mental toll of frequent tournaments, long travel distances, and limited rest periods has become a growing concern.
CAF officials say the move to a four-year cycle is designed to protect players from burnout and injuries, allowing them to perform at higher levels both for their clubs and national teams. The expectation is that fewer tournaments will mean better-prepared squads and higher-quality football during AFCON itself.
Another key motivation behind the change is CAF’s ambition to elevate AFCON’s global standing. While the tournament remains one of the most passionate and competitive in world football, its frequency has sometimes worked against its prestige.
By aligning AFCON’s cycle with major tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and Copa América, CAF hopes to increase anticipation and make each edition feel more significant. A four-year gap is expected to heighten excitement, attract global audiences, and position AFCON as a premium event rather than a routine fixture.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has previously emphasized the need to make African football commercially competitive on a global scale, and officials believe scarcity can drive value.
Financial sustainability has also played a role. Broadcasters and sponsors increasingly prefer large, high-impact events that deliver strong returns. CAF believes a quadrennial AFCON will generate higher broadcasting fees, stronger sponsorship deals, and improved overall production quality.
By spacing the tournament further apart, CAF expects to concentrate investment and marketing around each edition, making it more attractive to international partners. This could translate into better facilities, improved coverage, and higher prize money for participating teams.
To address concerns about reduced competitive opportunities for national teams, CAF plans to introduce an Africa Nations League. Modeled in part on UEFA’s Nations League, the new competition is intended to provide regular, meaningful matches between AFCON tournaments.
The Nations League would ensure national teams remain active, competitive, and commercially relevant while maintaining fan engagement during the longer AFCON gaps. CAF views this as a balanced solution that preserves match frequency without overloading players.
Hosting AFCON every two years has also proven demanding for many countries. Stadium construction, infrastructure upgrades, security planning, and funding requirements place heavy pressure on host nations. In recent years, several hosts have struggled to meet deadlines, leading to last-minute changes and logistical concerns.
A four-year cycle gives host countries more time to prepare, reducing the risk of rushed projects and improving overall tournament organization. CAF believes this will result in smoother events and better experiences for teams, fans, and officials.
The transition will begin after the 2028 AFCON, meaning upcoming editions—including the 2027 tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—will still follow the existing schedule. From then on, AFCON will enter a new era.
The governing body argues that fewer tournaments will deliver higher quality, stronger global relevance, and a healthier football ecosystem.
